Save Our… Seniors?

You may have seen the SOS Easton yard sign around town. Save Our Schools. Save Our Services. Save Our… Seniors?

A number of people have asked a similar question about SOS’s yard signs. It goes something like this: “We get how the override is saving schools and services, but how is the override saving seniors?”

Rest assured, SOS Easton volunteers of all ages discussed just this question when deciding on our sign’s slogan.

Any fight for strong public services is at its heart a fight for two important demographics in a community: children and seniors.

Seniors require swift services.

Seniors stand to be disproportionately impacted by cuts to our fire department. These cuts could see Easton cutting in half its ambulance coverage from two ambulances to one ambulance at times. This change does not fill up a slideshow the way the proposed cuts to the schools does, but it is the one proposed cut that we can say, without hyperbole, may be life or death for our residents—and particularly our seniors.

To be clear: the fight for an override is a fight for faster and more consistent emergency responses.

“Save Our Seniors” means we are approaching this campaign from a place of respect and community care. We are a multi-generational campaign that wants to use this challenge to bring our community together, and that means thinking of the needs of everyone in our community as we fight for the override. Below are a few of the ways we as a community are working to make sure our slogan of “Save Our Seniors” is actually having an impact.

The override funds more taxation aid.

As part of approving the operating override, a “YES” vote approves a Community Compact that includes specific provisions within it focused on helping Seniors:

III. Minimizing Impact on Seniors, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities

1. Educational Efforts

Prior to setting the FY2026 tax rate, the Town will collaborate with Health and Community Services to provide an educational initiative on available programs aimed at reducing financial burdens for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

2. Expansion of Financial Relief Programs

The Town will explore opportunities to expand financial relief for vulnerable populations.

Additionally, the override specifically includes an additional $150,000 in tax breaks for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Between the Community Compact and the override budget allocations, the Town of Easton is putting in the work to Save Our Seniors.

What are the resources?

The Town of Easton has prepared a substantial number of resources for Seniors (and others) who might be in need assistance. For a full list of taxation aid and financial assistance, check out the Town of Easton’s dedicated page on the topic or our Resources page for a more visual look at the resources offered by the town.

Want to better understand how these resources work? Here’s a breakdown of two of the more impactful financial tools:

How does the MA Senior Tax Circuit Breaker work?

The MA Senior Tax Circuit Breaker: This is an incredibly powerful financial tool to help seniors weather the demands of a tax override. To understand this tool, let’s take a hypothetical Easton resident, Mr. Smith. He is:

• Over the age of 65

• Filing his taxes as a single individual

• Earning $40,000 annually

• Paying $500 annually in sewer & water bills

• Living in a home with an assessed value of $350,000

Without the help of the circuit breaker, Mr. Smith would pay an additional $381.82 annually if the override passes. With the circuit breaker, he would receive a tax credit through this circuit breaker that would offset the increase in taxes created by the override—in practice, this means he would pay no additional taxes if the override passes (and potentially save on overall tax bills that they previously were unable to save on).

We have heard a lot of confusion from people about who is and who isn’t eligible for the senior circuit breaker tax credit. So here’s the summary:

Who is Eligible? (as of FY24)

• MA residents 65 and older

• Own or rent in MA as primary residence

• Max income of $72k (Single), $91k (HOH), or $109k (Married filing jointly)

• Property taxes plus water/sewer ≥10% of total MA income (Homeowners)

• 25% of your rent ≥10% of total MA income (Renters)

• Property assessment ≤$1,172,000

How does the Easton Taxation Aid Fund work?

In November 2019, Easton created the Taxation Aid Committee to help manage funds in the newly-created a taxation relief fund for seniors and residents with disabilities in order to defray the real estate taxes of elderly and disabled persons of low income in town. This committee allows residents to apply for direct tax aid—in 2024 alone, over 70 residents received around $1,300 from this Committee. There is currently $103,000 in the fund, including $89,000 left over from when the town wisely appropriated federal money earmarked to help with the impacts of COVID into the fund, and they are always accepting donations. In fact, any reserve funds after the override votes are completed here in Easton will be donated by SOS Easton to this Taxation Aid Fund. This is a tool that can have a big impact immediately, and, with the help and generosity of those who can afford to support their vulnerable neighbors through this difficult time, it can have a lasting impact for Easton’s seniors.

Who is Eligible? (as of FY25)

• Easton, MA Resident

• Own primary residence in Easton for at least 1 year prior to application

• Either ≥60 years old or Disabled and unable to work

• Max income ≤80% of the median income ($66k for 1-member household, $75k for 2, $85k for 3, $94k for 4, etc)

If you want more information on these and other services our community offers, check in with Easton’s Department of Health and Community Services.This department is a great example of how our public servants have been working hard for all residents of Easton. Let’s pass this override knowing that the funds generated from our decision will continue to make a real difference in the lives of our citizens, young and old.

Please Note: We strongly recommend you review these details yourself by consulting your trusted tax preparer or the town’s Treasurer / Collector if you’re a senior in Easton. They are the most definitive source on these topics. As noted on the Resources page, the Town of Easton offers free tax preparation services through the AARP Tax Aide Program for anyone 50 and older with low to moderate income levels.